Gingerbread Toddy

Ingredients

• 1 1/2
  
  cups water
  
• 2
  
  quarter-sized slices of peeled, fresh ginger
  
• 2
  
  cinnamon sticks
  
• 4
  
  allspice berries
  
• 4
  
  whole cloves
  
• 2
  
  black peppercorns
  
• 1/4
  
  teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  
• 4
  
  teaspoons honey
  
• 1/2
  
  teaspoon molasses
  
• 1/2
  
  teaspoon granulated sugar, preferably turbinado
  
• 6
  
  ounces bourbon
  
• 1-2
  
  teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  
• 
  
  orange bitters
  
• 1
  
  thick-skinned orange
  

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, bring the water ginger, and spices to a boil. Lower to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes more.
2. Add in the honey, molasses, and sugar and stir to dissolve them.
3. Pour 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon into each of 4 mugs or tempered glasses. Add in 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 dashes of bitters to each glass.
4. Strain the spices from the liquid. Top each glass with 4 ounces of the warm liquid. Garnish each glass with a twist of orange peel, taking care not to use any of the bitter pith.